MYTHS FROM THE MAHABHARATA: Vol. 3: Probe in Early Dim Hisotory and Folklore

The book forms the third and final part of the plan of studying the Mahabharata, from a different point of view, Vol. 1 being-Myths from the Mahabharata-Quest for Immortality, Vol. 2 being- Myths from the Mahabharata-Study in Patterns and Symbols. In this volume are unearthed through myths some iti-ha-asa records, which shed light on the facts and incidents of the hoary past, as yet shrouded in mystery. The iti-ha-asa records through myths, such as those gathered round the sage Agastya and those of the advent of the river Ganga, can be taken as breathing the `true history` from the modern day point of view. Some iti-ha-asa records in the Mahabharata as seen through the tales of Metamorphosis and the Miscellaneous Tales lead us to the study of `patterns` and are a help to explain many a myth. The Appendices serve as searchlight on some myths and folktales.